Like many children, I used to dread the end of summer, but I now view the back-to-school season as a great opportunity for learning and growth.
This month’s “Back to School” issue, which will be available on newsstands across Cumberland County by mid-August, emphasizes just how wonderful the start of a new school year can be.
CityView’s August magazine sets a positive tone for the 2025-2026 school year, highlighting Cumberland County’s new superintendent, local book sales and high school student publications.
On July 1, former Johnston County Schools superintendent Eric Bracy took on his new role as superintendent of Cumberland County Schools, succeeding Marvin Connelly Jr., who retired earlier this year. Bracy joins us with a track record of improving the Johnston County school district’s standing, and plans to build on the upward trajectory of Cumberland County’s prior leadership.
Do you still need to go back-to-school shopping? A local book sale might have what you’re looking for. The Friends of the Cumberland County Public Library, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the county’s public library system through events and fundraising efforts, is holding a Book Sale event on Aug. 11. Held four times a year, the Book Sales offers community members the opportunity to shop affordable, donated books, and gives the proceeds to the public library system to provide community events.
At local schools, the art of newspaper and yearbook production lives on. At Fayetteville Academy, Village Christian Academy and Pine Forest High School, students share the real-world skills newspaper and yearbook classes have taught them. They reflect on the importance of these classes and the impact on their education.
Our columnists this month approach back-to-school season from different perspectives. The first explores how more funding for the public school system could take the county to a whole new level. The next thinks back on her days as a student as she sends her oldest child to middle school. Then our bilingual columnist explains, in English and in Spanish, how it’s never too late to go back to school and mentions a supply giveaway in time for the new school year. And the last has seven book recommendations for all ages to help the transition back to the classroom after summer break.
Cape Fear Valley Health is also geared up in time for the new school year. In a sponsored article, Dr. Michael Ruzek, chief quality officer for Cape Fear Valley Health, and Carmelita Manning, MSN, the corporate director of quality and patient safety, share the health system’s recent quality control, patient safety improvements and accreditations.
Plus, Camp HEAL, a free day camp dedicated to early intervention for kids at risk of mental health disorders and drug abuse, completed its first year in June.
We also have tons of events in our August To-Do List for you to enjoy.
And did you attend the Fayetteville Independence Day Concert & Fireworks on July 4 at Festival Park? Or the Dirtbag Ales Farmers Market on July 13? You may find yourself in this month’s Seen @ the Scenes.
As our “Back To School” magazine shows, there’s lots to look forward to as school starts. We wish everyone the best of luck.
Thank you for reading.
To find your nearest CityView newsstand, click here. And did you know you could get CityView Magazine mailed directly to you for just $1 a month? Now you do. Sign up for a year’s subscription for only $12 here.
Read CityView Magazine’s “The Back To School Issue” August 2025 e-edition here.
